Friday, July 30, 2010

World Series Game 6 Recap by hurricane384

Game 6

Seattle 1

Ottawa 3

WP: Hiram Sanders (2-1)

LP: Troy O’Donnell (1-3)

SV: Steve Hudek (2)

POG: Hiram Sanders (6.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K)



Summary:

With their ace unable to seal the deal in game 5, the Outlaws turned to 9 game winner Hiram “Colonel” Sanders to secure their place in history. Ottawa scored twice in the bottom of the second to take a 2-0 lead. 2B Sam Schoendienst (1-3, R) got things going with a 2-out single and subsequently stole second. SS Robin Scott (1-3, 2B, R, RBI) doubled Schoendienst in, and was then knocked in on P Hiram Sanders’ (1-2, RBI) single. 3B Reid Brooks (2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI) provided the only real offense of the day for Seattle as he crushed a home run to right-center to lead off the fourth. The Pilots put men on the corners with two out in the fourth, but a groundout ended that threat. That was the extent of the scoring for Seattle . Seattle would threaten once more though, with a Randy Davies (1-3, 2B) in the 7th against Ottawa set-up man, Willie Molina (2.0, H, K), who went on strike out pinch-hitter Edward Cornelius and get Stretch Lloyd to ground out to SS Robin Scott who made an amazing play to nip Lloyd at first. Steve Hudek recorded the save with a perfect ninth. Despite striking out 6, Troy O’Donnell (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) was let down by the Pilots’ offense this game. Brandon Good pitched an inning, giving up 2 hits and a run in the bottom of the 8th and Nap O’Connor came in and stranded a runner in that same 8th inning.

OTTAWA WINS SERIES, 4-2.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OWNER mlhutch.



MVP: Willie Molina (5.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

World Series Games 4 and 5 Recap by hurricane384

Game 4
Ottawa 2

Seattle 7

WP: Nolan Gabriel (2-3)

LP: Gio Mairena (1-1)

POG: Reid Brooks (4-5, R, 2 RBI)



Summary:

Tired of being pushed around by Ottawa , the Pilots finally woke and played some offense, recording 14 hits, all singles to avoid the sweep. The Pilots scored 4 in the second inning as the Outlaws’ Gio Mairena (3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 2 K) struggled to find the plate by walking 3 of the first 4 batters he faced in the inning. Once he found the plate, he couldn’t avoid the Seattle bats to get himself out of trouble. Seattle CF Ricardo Francisco (3-4, 2 R, RBI) knocked in one with a bases-loaded single, which was the first of 4 straight singles against Mairena. C Stretch Lloyd (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), 3B Reid Brooks, and RF Hal Thompson (1-4, 2 RBI) joined in the second inning hit parade. The Pilots scored 3 more in the 4th with Francisco reaching on an infield single, followed by a Lloyd walk, and another single by Brooks to knock in one. Thompson knocked in Lloyd immediately afterward on a 6-3 put out. DH Edward Cornelious (1-4, RBI, K) knocked in Brooks to give Seattle a 7-0 lead. Meanwhile, Seattle ’s ace Nolan Gabriel (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 K) and Nap O’Connor (2.0 IP, H, ER, K) put the screws to the Ottawa offense, holding them to a combined 6 hits. Ottawa ’s DH Morgan Johnson (1-4, 3B, R) had a triple in the 7th and scored on a ground-out by Jimmy Chapman (0-4, RBI) and Robin Scott (1-3, HR, R, RBI) homered in the 9th to provide the only offense of the day for Ottawa . One bright spot for the Outlaws was the performance of Rich Lawrence (4.1 IP, 6 H, K) who held the Pilots scoreless from the 4th inning on.

OTTAWA LEADS SERIES 3-1



Game 5
Ottawa 1

Seattle 10

WP: Alex Vizcaino (4-0)
LP: Harry Romero (2-3)

SV: Nap O’Connor (1)

POG: Alex Vizcaino (6.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 10 K)



Summary:

Hoping to end this series once and for all, Ottawa ran their ace, Harry Romero (6.0 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) to the mound and he tripped over the rubber. Ottawa got on the board in the first with a single by CF Ed Kelly (1-4, R, BB, K) an infield single by DH Morgan Johnson (1-3, BB, 2 K), a single by 1B Jimmy Chapman (1-3, BB, 2 K) and a fielder’s choice ground out by CDan Mercedes (0-4, RBI) to knock in their only run of the day. The top 5 hitters on the team combined to go 4-17 with 4 walks, and 7 strikeouts. Seattle ’s offense really came to play as they knocked out 10 runs on 15 hits (only 4 extra base hits). The Pilots put up runs in 4 straight innings beginning in the second. Back to back singles by LF Ross Anderson (2-5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI) and 1B Louie Guiel (1-5, R) put 2 men on with one out. Another single by SS Louie Solano (2-4, R, 2 RBI) knocked in Anderson . CF Ricardo Francisco (2-3, R, RBI, BB) knocked in Guiel, but Solano was thrown out at home by RF Tito Frederick. C Stretch Lloyd (2-4, RBI) singled to score 2B Amp Newman (1-3, 2B, 2 R, BB) who had walked. RF Hal Thompson (2-4, 3B, R) led off the 3rd with a triple, Seattle ’s first extra-base hit in 27 innings, and scored when DH Edward Cornelious (2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI) knocked him in with a single to LF. Francisco singled to lead off the bottom of the 4th, moved to second on Lloyd’s single up the middle, advanced to 3rd on a 5-4-3 doube play by Reid Brooks, the only Pilot starter to not get a hit, and scored when Romero bobbled a routine grounder to make the scored 5-1. Cornelius homered with one out in the 5th to make the score 6-1. After a solid 6 innings of work, striking out 10, Vizcaino turned the game over to Brandon Good (1.1, H, 2 BB, K) who loaded the bases in the top of the 8th and Nap O’Connor (1.2, 2 K) who came out to escape that one-out tightrope act and retire the side in order in the 9th. Seattle added 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th on a double by Newman, a single by defensive replacement C Johnny O’Brien (1-1, R, RBI), an infield single by Orlando Ramirez (1-1, R), and a home run to left-center by Anderson.

OTTAWA LEADS SERIES, 3-2.

World Series Game 3 Recap by hurricane384

Game 3

Ottawa 1

Seattle 0

WP: Deivi Tejada (3-0) LP: Troy O’Donnell (1-2)

POG: Deivi Tejada (9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K)



A game opening inside the park home run from leadoff man and right fielder Tito Frederick (1-4, HR, R, RBI) was all either team could muster in this pitcher’s duel. The home run from Frederick was one of only three times that either team saw a player advance past first base. Seattle ’s Troy O’Donnell (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 K) was masterful and Brandon Good (2.0 IP, 0 ER) lived up to his name. Unfortunately the Pilots offense was horrid, going 3-for-29 on the night. The Outlaws rode the complete game of O’Donnell to victory because their offense was just as bad with only 3 baserunners all night.

OTTAWA LEADS SERIES, 3-0.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

World Series Game 2 Recap by hurricane384

Game 2
Seattle 5

Ottawa 6

WP: Roy Hultzen (1-0) LP: Jim Phillips (0-1)

POG: Morgan Johnson (1-4, R, GW RBI, SB)

This was quite the game. Ottawa ’s Dan Mercedes (1-3, 2B, RBI) knocked in Morgan Johnson in the bottom of the first to give the Outlaws the 1-0 lead. Seattle responded with 4 in the second. Hal Thompson (1-4, HR, R, RBI) hit a solo shot to right-center, then was followed by 3 of the next 4 batters reaching base. P Alex Vizcaino (2-2, 2 RBI) singled in 2 runs, and C Stretch Lloyd (2-4, 2 RBI, BB) knocked in another with a fielder’s choice to 2nd. Seattle ’s Alex Vizcaino pitched a solid 6 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 5. He was tagged for a 2-run home run by the Outlaws’ Jimmy Chapman (1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI) in the fifth. He was replaced in the 7th by Brandon Good (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER) who wasted Vizcaino’s outing quickly. Good quickly got the first two batters to ground out to shortstop, then gave up a hit to P Willie Molina which was followed by a 2-run shot by Tito Frederick (2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI) to give Ottawa a 5-4 lead. Nap O’Connor (1.1 IP, 1 H) came in and got the final out of the seventh. Willie Molina (2.0 IP, H, BB, K) took over for Hiram Sanders (6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) in the 7th and did a nice job of bridging the game to closer Steve Hudek (0.1 IP, 3 H, ER, K). Hudek had blown one save all season, and quickly struck out the first batter he faced. Unfortunately that was the only out he recorded. He quickly gives up 3 straight singles to Seattle ’s 2B Amp Newman (1-3, 2 R, BB), PH Eddie Treadway (.223 average on the year), and Lloyd to blow the save. He was replaced by Roy Hultzen (0.2 IP, K) who quickly retired the final two batters to set up a drama filled bottom of the ninth. All-Star closer Jim Phillips comes on in the bottom of the inning to try to get this game to extra innings for the Pilots. Phillips (0.2 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, K) struck out the first batter, then gave up a double to PH Jared Herman (1-1, 2B, R) which was followed by an intentional walk to Tito Frederick. Frederick and Herman combined for the double-steal which leads to another free pass issued to SS & defensive replacement Robin Scott to set up the force play at any base with one out. Co-MVP Morgan Johnson (1-4, R, RBI) comes to the plate and skies one to deep right-field…Herman beats the throw to give the Outlaws the victory and keep the series lead.

OTTAWA LEADS SERIES, 2-0.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

World Series Game 1 Recap by hurricane384

WORLD SERIES RECAPS

SEASON 1 – BILLY BEANE



GAME 1

SEATTLE 2

OTTAWA 7

WP: Harry Romero (3-1) LP: Nolan Gabriel (1-3)

POG: Harry Romero (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3K, 2BB)



Summary:

NL Cy Young Finalist Harry Romero scattered 5 hits and 2 walks over 7 innings to win the opening game of the World Series. Morgan Johnson powered the Outlaws, going 2 for 5 with a HR, 2RBI, and a run scored. Dan Mercedes contributed, going 2-4 with a double, run scored, and RBI and Ed Kelly went deep in the 3rd for a 2-run shot that was his only hit of the day. Willie Molina and Chad Aspromonte each worked scoreless innings for Ottawa . Hal Thompson (2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI) and Ricardo Francisco (2-3) combined for 4 of Seattle ’s 6 hits on the game, while Nolan Gabriel was nowhere near good enough giving up 5 hits, 5 runs, and 5 walks in 6 innings. Seattle did not threaten after putting 2 men on with no outs in the sixth. Brandon Good struck out 2 in 1.1 innings of work for the Pilots.

OTTAWA LEADS THE SERIES, 1-0.

Monday, July 26, 2010

World Series - Season 1 - Preview

BILLY BEANE
SEASON 1
WORLD SERIES PREVIEW by hurricane284
AL#2 SEATTLE PILOTS VS. NL#1 OTTAWA OUTLAWS

SEATTLE PILOTS (105 – 57)

Seattle is a very balanced and great team, finishing in the AL’s top 3 in runs scored, team ERA, and team fielding percentage. Just a tremendous team from top to bottom, the Pilots were given a run for their money in the ALCS. They needed 7 games to beat the 5th seeded, upstart Rochester Redbirds. Game 7 was a true classic.

OFFENSE (#3 AL – runs scored)

The 3rd ranked offense in runs scored, the Pilots also finished in the top 5 in hits, RBI, BB, HBP, average, and OBP. Their offense was led by leadoff hitter and catcher, Stretch Lloyd, who batted a league-leading .374 while appearing in 124 games. Right fielder, MVP candidate, and 5th hitter Hal Thompson finished with 56 HRs and 145 RBI which was good enough for 3rd in the majors. Seattle had 8 players finish with double-digit homers on the season, and despite having only two players with 100+ runs scored and RBI, finished in the top 3 in runs scored. This is truly an offense where the sum of the parts is more than the whole.

PITCHING (#1 AL – ERA)

The best pitching staff in the league, no other team came close to touching the team 3.11 ERA. This staff had 5 players finish with 10+ victories, including 2 who had 20+ wins. They ran with a mostly 4-man rotation which led to 4 starters with 34+ starts during the season. Cy Young Candidates Alex Vizcaino (22-8, 231.1 IP, 41 GS, 2.65 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) and Nolan Gabriel (20-10, 218.1 IP, 39 GS, 3.50 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) led this staff to some ridiculous stats. The bullpen only blew 10 saves all season. The leader of the bullpen, Jim Phillips, (70 G, 6-4, 49/53 SVO, 0.79 WHIP, 1.60 ERA)is the Fireman of the Year for the AL. This staff is going to make it difficult on any team they face.

FIELDING (#3 AL – FIELDING %)

The third best fielding team, Seattle only committed 76 errors in 5,976 chances. Since their pitching staff was so good, they didn’t need to be spectacular, just solid, and that comes through in their peripheral stats, only turning 360 double plays (15th) and finishing in the middle of the pack in plus plays with 64. Their defense was led by SS/2B Randy Davies, 2B Amp Newman, and SS/CF Ricardo Francisco.

OTTAWA OUTLAWS (99 – 63)

The best team in the NL, Ottawa has the #3 offense and #6 pitching staff in the league. The Outlaws are a balanced team, with one weakness, their defense, which finished 13th in the National League in fielding percentage. Ottawa breezed through the divisional series and finished off the #6 seeded Columbus Aeros in 6 games to make this World Series appearance.

OFFENSE (#3 NL – RUNS SCORED)

Ottawa was top 5 in the league in hits, doubles, triples, runs, RBI, walks, HBP, stolen bases, average, and OBP. MVP candidate Morgan Johnson was the team leader in HR and RBI with 42 and 168 respectively. This was a prolific running team with 8 players stealing 10+ bases, lead by Tito Frederick with 62. They had 6 players with 20+ doubles, and 7 players with 10+ home runs despite finishing next to last in the league in homers. This team could cause some fits with their ability to take the extra base.

PITCHING (#6 NL – ERA)

Led by Cy Young candidate, Harry Romero (16-4, 208.1 IP, 33 GS, 2.85 ERA, 1.16 WHIP), the Outlaws did have a strong staff. They boasted 4 guys with 10+ wins and their entire rotation finished at .500 or better. Despite a record of 1-6, Steve Hudek was 42/43 in saves (98%) while appearing in 70 games and putting up a 3.15 ERA, which was good enough to finish second in the Fireman of the Year standings. Got through the season with zero injuries from their starters, and none of them had an ERA over 4.60. A decent bullpen is the weakness with this staff, after their top 2 players, you really have question marks all over the place.

FIELDING (#13 NL – FIELDING %)

The Outlaws were not the greatest team in the field as they committed 117 errors in 6,021 changes. They made up for it somewhat by finishing 8th in double plays (383) and 4th in plus plays (64). They also threw out 32% of baserunners on steal attempts. Dan Mercedes threw out 30% and Howie Ramirez threw out 37%. SS Robin Scott was solid in the field, recording 18 plus plays despite 25 errors, and CF Ed Kelly made 17 plus plays against 2 errors.

OFFENSE
STARTERS
CON: OTT
POW: SEA
VSL: SEA
VSR: SEA
EYE: SEA
ADV: SEA

BENCH
CON: OTT
POW: SEA
VSL: OTT
VSR: SEA
EYE: SEA
ADV: SEA

PITCHING
STARTERS
STA: OTT
CON: SEA
VSL: SEA
VSR: SEA
VEL: OTT
STU: SEA
ADV: SEA

BULLPEN
DUR: OTT
CON: OTT
VSL: SEA
VSR: SEA
VEL: OTT
STU: OTT
ADV: OTT

DEFENSE
RNG: OTT
GLV: OTT
A/S: SEA
A/A: SEA
CAT: SEA
ADV: SEA

This is going to be a tough series. Ottawa runs really well, but Seattle’s Stretch Lloyd was second in the league in throwing out 34% of would-be base stealers. Ottawa doesn’t hit for a lot of power, and Seattle’s pitching is the best in the league. Ottawa is really going to have to scrape for each and every run. While Seattle doesn’t have tremendous power, they are more likely to put a 3-run home run up on the board to make Ottawa pay for any pitching mistakes. If Ottawa can hang around until their bullpen takes over, they have a shot, if not it could be a very short series for the Outlaws.
PREDICTION: SEATTLE IN 6.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Getting to know anml34

Who is anml34?

30 year old Commercial Air Conditioning Sales Associate in Columbus OH.

How did you get into HBD?

Was playing HD and was recruited by tk for this world.

Interests and hobbies?

Golf, Basketball, Fantasy Sports, Corn hole and my family…..not necessarily in that order

Favorite team(s)?

Ohio State, Columbus Blue Jackets (Hockey, Yeah Columbus does have a team)

Suggestion/Tip for HBD?

Still Learning and willing to take any advice the vets want to throw this way.

Important individual rating for performance?

I like Speed batters and Control for Pitchers.

Best move you've ever made in HBD?

I haven’t made a ton yet but I really like Piper Cambridge that I traded for. After a move to 3B I think he will be a great addition to my team.

Worst move you've ever made in HBD?

Yet to be determined but I am sure I have made a couple of bad moves this season.

Favorite HBD player?

Eddie Black - Great speed and eye at the plate…..If only his contact was a little higher.

Top prospect you are excited to call up in Billy Beane?

Alex Estalella - He could probably play in the Majors right now but I want to bring him along slow and hope that he hits somewhere near his potential.